Improvement in cornstalk-cutters



} ZSheets -SheetI. C. B. SIG H T S. V

Corn-Stalk Gutter.

No. 161,830. Patent'ed April6,1875.

zzgj I WITNESSES INVENTOR M% m4 w 4 w' ATTORNEYS THE GRAPHIC C0.PHOTO.-L|TH.39&4'I PARK PLAGE,N.Y.

'2 Sheets--Sheet 2; C. B 'S l G H TS.

Corn-Stalk Cutter. 2:

v N0.16l,830. Patented April6.l875.

WITN ESSES I INVENTOR ATTO RN EYS THE GRAPHIC CO.PNQTO.-LITH.39&41 PARK PLAOE,N-Y-

CASPER B. SIGHTS, OF LA HARPE, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CORNSTALK-CUTTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 161,830, dated April 6, 1875 application filed January 9, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, (JASPER B. SIGHTS, of La Harpe, in the county of Hancock and State of Illinois, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Corn-Stalk Gutters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of a plan view of my corn-stalk cutter. Fig. 2 is a rear View of the same; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4. is a detail view.

This invention has relation to machines for chopping up corn-stalks in the field andit consists in the combination of two flexible chopper-carrying frames with an in termediate chopper-carryin g frame, and also with means whereby the driver, sitting in his seat, can raise or lower the outside frames at pleasure, whether the machine be in motion or at rest.

In the annexed drawings, A designates a rectangular draft-frame, which is mounted on two transporting-wheels, B B, and provided with a drivers seat, 0. D designates a rectangular frame, which is connected to the axletree B of wheels B by means of staples having oblong eyes, which will allow the frame D free vertical play, so that it will accommodate itself to the surface over which it is drawn. To the rear end of frame D a rope or chain, a, is attached, which is carried over a pulley, a, under the drivers seat, and connected to one end of a lever, E. The other end of lever E is connected to a drum, F, by means of a chain, a", so that by turning said drum the driver can raise or lower the frame D. Segments b b are rigidly secured to the frame D, and afford bearings for the shaft of a rotary chopper, G. This chopper is composed of radial arms having choppingblades secured to them in lines parallel to each other. D D designate two rectangular frames, carrying choppers G, and also hooked drags H, which latter are pivoted to front supports (1 d, and hung by ropes or chains cc, so that they will straighten out the stalks in front of the choppers G. The frame A is also provided with drags H, which can be raised or lowered by the driver by means of a rope, f. Frames D are connected to the sides of the frame A by means of long staples g, which allow frames D free vertical articulation. The choppers G will thus accommodate themselves to the surface passed over. Ropes or chains h h are secured to the outer sides of the frames D, and carried over pulleysp p on the upper ends of posts J J, which rise from the side beams of frame A. These ropes or chains are attached to the drum F, so that the driver can raise the frames D, as shown in Fig. 2, or depress them, as shown in Fig. 1. At the same time frames D D are raised the frame D will be raised.

If it is desired to chop but one row of stalks at a time, the side frames D D can be removed.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The outer frames D D, hinged to the main frame A, and carrying the choppers G G, in combination with the elevating devices, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

CASPER B. SIGHTS. Witnesses:

E. G. BUTLER, It. 0. KING. 

